Baldwin the Merciful's - CoT Campaign
(Inactive)

This is Council of Thieves AP. Westcrown, City of Twilight, once was the center of Aroden's faith, but now it symbolizes despair. By day, the city remains a vibrant center of trade; but, by night only those with a death wish venture out.

We had an untimely death of a party member and the group is looking to add one more person. We currently have 4 very active members and myself the GM. This is an EXCEPTIONALLY active fast paced game. We average 5 posts each per day. In less then 8 weeks we have over 2150 post, roughly 40 or so posts per day. We are nearing the end of AP 1.

We have a good mix of experienced PbP and first timers, so it doesn't matter to me.

Currently the party has:

Ranged Ranger
Inquistor
Cleric
Shield Fighter

The party is looking for a bard, rogue or arcane spell caster. You would be entering at level 3.

Here are rules for the build:

20 Pt buy
No score below an 8 before racial adjustment.
Download the Free PG
2 traits, (1 must be a campaign trait)
No third party material
No Alchemist, Gunslinger or Summoner or their variants
Core races only, no thiefling characters. No ARG
Minimum 3-5 posting a day.
No evil

3000 GP (3rd lv) No more than 50% in one item. Run any magic weapon, gear, potions (don't bother spending coin on Cure potions they are plentiful), by me before purchase.

Answer the following:

1. Tell me 3-4 NPC's your character knows in the city, they will become important NPCs. Names, occupations and how you know them.

2. How long have you been in the City.

3. Give a brief background for your character.

I want to make sure it's clear NO Advance Race Guide. The forbidden classes include their vairants/archetypes.

The only real house rule that I have incorporated into this PbP game is 1 on an attack has a chance to either fumble weapon or snap the ranged weapon string. You make a dex based check, add in modifier, and must get a 10 or higher to avoid the fumble.

This is a fast pace, fun game that is roughly 50/50 roll/role playing. It is definately one of the more active games on the PbP boards.

Dotting for interest. Thinking of a dwarf caster type or half-elf rogue. I'll go download the players guide and think up a character. Also how are you figuring HP? do we get max at first level then 1/2HD+1+CON modifier?

I've been working on a Chelish diva bard intended for Council of Thieves! I do have a question though: when you say "no third party material", does that extend to Wizards 3.5 as well or is there backwards compatibility? If not, I'll simply need to re-spec my current build to use only Pathfinder.

Hey there. I'm the cleric of the group. Hit points are Max at first level then you roll the dice and add your CON bonus. Re-roll any 1s.

We have oodles of investigations going on, like looking into corrupt nobles, and a spate of mangled corpses found. We currently have a bandit prisoner and are planning goblin hunting. Feel free to look over the Gameplay thread to catch up.

Andrea is a harlot former Urgothan, now a Calistrian priestess so she is redefining her role butshe is not much of a melee combatant (yet). She's been a buffer role so far.

John Deos is a Tower Shield fighter archetype. He doesn't get hit much, so he's a Turtle type warrior.

Duncan is a 'Wolverine type char' meaning he really goes to town in melee, dealing a heap of damage but he gets hit alot as well. He is a Rage inquisitor of Ragathiel. His saves are very high.

Shinon a a classic archery elf ranger. He doesn't like humans.

As a group our pace is awesome. Lots of posts (including a fair bit of char development) but there have been times we really could have used an arcane caster. So my preference will likely go to an applicant with arcane casting of some sort. (This group WON'T resort to torture and investigation is a real factor so far. So enchantment magic would be nice)
You are also relplacing our Monk so we have lost some melee.

Working on a rogue and thinking of taking a level of Sorcerer to tie in with my background. I know having some of those base-level spells come in really handy. I do not know which way I will progress with my skills but I'm leaning towards keeping rogue as my favored class.

Grumm's Smithy. Duncan's patron owns this smithy and has been known to do work for various important people.(WHo havee shown to be very fussy.)

Westcrown Exchange House. Bank/Counting house/etc. Andrea works here under Gerald. Lends money, changes coins and valuables. Currently the group is 5k in the hole for raising one of the town guards so they will be handling sales of valuable items for the time being.

WestCrown Morgue. Just as it says. Nathaniel is the mortician. Has seen a number of bodies of slain nobles and an important brewer turn up. The tragic site of the death of our monk.

Feel free to add a buisness where you work or a significant place. The PCs know low-ranked nobles, smiths, streetwalkers, priests and others. Makes the town feel alive.

I have been looking for a fast passed campaign! I have this L1 female bard to offer. I will level her to 3 according to the guidelines, answer the questions, and repost her. I just wanted to get on the board. I think she would be the perfect fit for your group. I love bards and know how to make them the perfect (5th) party member. Again, I am available to post 24 hours a day with my IPhone or iPad (even on weekends). I am technically sound with the rules and love to RP. I have not played this AP yet.

After looking at the group in more detail, I think a witch would actually fit better. I will put a witch together tonight! I have a L6 witch in PFS and love the class.

1. Tell me 3-4 NPC's your character knows in the city, they will become important NPCs. Names, occupations and how you know them.

A) Calseinica Nymmis. A beautiful little waif, whose natural talent and beauty are outmatched only by her enthusiasm. Orsin sang opposite of her earlier this year in the opera The Winter of White Roses.

B) Gerald. When Orsin arrived in town with the wealth he had accumulated from his seasons in Kintargo and Egorian, he wanted to make sure it was safely held at a bank instead of his own flat. (Orsin doesn't trust the kinds of people he's seen skulking about Westcrown). Gerald opened Orsin's account at the Westcrown Exchange House and has managed his finances since the diva's arrival.

C) Shu Lien. A Tian "escort" (*ahem*) employed at a pleasure house called The Reverse Mermaid (name subject to change). She's a stunning girl of no fewer than twenty years whom Orsin has given regular patronage. He pays her for her gossip as much as he does her traditional services.

2. Orsin arrived in Westcrown earlier this year. He performed opposite Calseinica only a few weeks after his arrival. (He already had studied the role during his youth at the Kintargo Opera.)

3. I apologize for how extremely un-brief this is...

Spoiler:

Orsino ‘Orsin’ Bessatte was abandoned as an infant at an orphanage in Kintargo in the north of Cheliax, having never known his parents or any other family. Though Orsin possessed a variety of hidden talents, his childhood at the orphanage was fairly un-extraordinary, being neither particularly popular among the other children nor their pariah. However, one friendship that he made in that oppressive, unfriendly place would change the course of his life altogether.

Gregorio Ardiavinci, a boy of roughly the same age as Orsin, was known throughout the orphanage as a gregarious, but devious child. He was often adopted by Chelish nobles looking for pet projects to pass the tedium, only to be returned days later on account of the mischief he inevitably caused. For whatever reason, however, Gregorio attached himself to Orsin and the two became inseparable. Where Gregorio was impish, haughty, and bold, Orsin was mannered, quiet, and reserved. The two complemented each other in every sense of the word. And despite his protestations, Orsin became an accessory to each and every one of Gregorio’s ridiculous schemes, relishing every minute of it. Tales of their pranks and exploits at the orphanage became legendary.

Every year, the Kintargo Opera House sent scouts to the local orphanages in search of talented girls whom they could adopt young and turn into highly-loyal (and hugely successful) prima donnas. A few boys would also find adoption if they displayed modest vocal ability, since it is hard to esteem a male’s voice before they mature. More often than not, however, male children who were adopted were destined for lives as indentured stagehands. Naturally, when Gregorio had the “brilliant” idea that they should both audition, Orsin, naturally, acquiesced. Gregorio, with his latent charm and good natured personality, was a clear selection, but Orsin was a somewhat harder sell. Though his singing was arguably superior to that of his friend, he was very shy and somewhat cold. Nevertheless, both were welcomed into the fold of the Kintargo Opera House, leaving behind the orphanage forever to join a new family.

As Orsin matured into a fine young man, he began to rival even Gregorio’s charisma, which one might expect when surrounded by the theatrics, personalities, and demands of the theatre. His friend, of course, continued to make enough mischief for the both of them, but (un)fortunately, life as stagehands left them so exhausted each night that they were left with little room for trouble making. However, whenever Orsin was afforded time to spend as he wished between his crew duties, he spent it watching the rehearsals and performances, studying the virtuoso singers practice their craft from the wings. He envied and admired their splendor in equal measure. And while he was content to simply observe and enjoy the opera, Gregorio had other plans. Orsin may not have cared much about his future at the opera house, but something awakened in Gregorio and he was no longer content to stand idly by and see others gain glory.

Gregorio, with little necessary insistence, managed to convince Orsin that they should take up this goal together. If they became stars of the Kintargo Opera, they’d never have to lift another finger. And so, the two snuck out of their quarters late each night after hours and took to the stage, recreating the evening’s performances, replete with sword fights, cumbersome costumes, and coloratura singing. Gregorio’s enthusiasm was infectious and soon Orsin’s mind was filled with similar dreams of wealth and fame. After years of such activity though, nothing changed. They advanced their position into the company chorus, but now had to contend with the double duty of singing and working in the wings whenever they weren’t needed on stage. Gregorio’s plan had only made their lives more difficult and only modestly increased the size of their purse. It seemed that they had advanced as far as they could until one night when fate intervened on the behalf.

On opening night of the company’s centennial season and the premiere of a new opera called The Bargain Well-Struck, the singers cast to play the roles of Sinful and Selfish fell mysteriously ill. As relatively supporting roles, they had no understudies. As “luck” would have it, Gregorio and Orsin had been studying the roles after hours and when they came forward with this knowledge, they were immediately sent to wardrobe. If anybody thought the overwhelming coincidence of the matter was beyond belief, no one said a word. The show had to go on and their operatic debut was a smashing success.

The baritone and tenor were cast as a matched set in the rest of The Kintargo Opera’s remaining season. The next year, they had secured a contract in Egorian, performing similar roles. They had acquired fame and great wealth, but it quickly spent on expensive meals, fine clothes, and fleshly companionship. The “brothers of the stage”, as they were called, became notorious carousers and womanizers. They had finally made their dreams a reality, but after a year of success in Cheliax’s captial, Gregorio began to change. His volatile, spirited personality got the better of him and he soon began missing his entrances, forgetting lines, and missing rehearsals altogether. He and Orsin began drifting apart and there was nothing to be done for it. Halfway through the season, Gregorio’s contract was terminated and Orsin was made a principal singer in the company. Gregorio stormed out of the opera house one night and the “brothers” never spoke again.

Orsin received word at the start of the year that Gregorio’s body was found dead on the shores of the River Advian. Rumor has it that he fled to Westcrown after his disgrace in Egorian and he struggled to find work, gossip in the theatres and playhouses suggest that he got himself mixed up in private performances of Theatre Mortrescci, infamously known throughout Cheliax as “snuff plays”. Orsin finished his engagement with the Egorian Opera and declined to renew his contract. Motivated by vengeance and justice, he decided instead to liquidate all his funds and travel to Westcrown in search of his best friend’s killer. He has turned down offers from the playhouses that discovered his presence in town, but he did sing opposite Calseinica Nymmis in The Winter of White Roses earlier in the year so as to remain in the public eye without the constraints of an annual contract.

Since his arrival, he has seen how desperate and different life is in Westcrown. He has heard rumors of a group of rebels attempting to take back the night from the horrors that beset the city and he might confess that the idea intrigues him. He wishes he could do more, but he’s only an actor. What can he do…?

I'm happy to change things up here and there if it helps during the selection process. I haven't purchased everything yet, only a masterwork longsword and a +1 chain shirt. Hopefully that's alright so far.

May I have the pleasure of introduce Georgette Theadoux. She is 2 Rogue/1 Sorcerer with Rogue being her favored class. I can make any changes to the gear as needed. Thank you Andrea and Duncan for the info :)

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Questions:

1. Tell me 3-4 NPC's your character knows in the city, they will become important NPCs. Names, occupations and how you know them.
- Farsain, Elf Sorcerer, Teacher of Arcane Magic at the Arcane Arts Academy. attempted to teach me the arcane arts.
- Quintyn Delacroix, Human noble and nighbor, scout for the city guard where I train.
- Mr. Edguard IronHammer, Dwarf Locksmith, employer

2. How long have you been in the City.
I was born and raises in Westcrown.

3. Give a brief background for your character.
My mother went to the heart of Westcrown to search for employement and ended up working for a young nobleman, George Theadoux. They eventually fell in love and married. Not more than 2 years later they had a set of twin half-elves, Georgette and Vondarth. Oh did this send a shock wave throughout the Theadoux family. Sure they thought the marriage would be short lived and end but now there where off spring.

Growing up we lived next door to the Delacroix family. They had tow sons , Quintyn and Lliard. Vondarth and I would have sword fights with them and even at a young age Quintyn showed superior skill with a sword, where Lliard was more into the arcane arts.

After sometime my brother and I went to study the arcane arts Farsain. Fairsain is one of the scorcer's at the Arcane Arts Acadamy. Vondarth's arcane abilities were stronger than mine and I dropped out to pursue the fine points of simple and martial weapon combat.

I began training with some of the members of the city guard and quickly became a very good shot with a bow. When I wasn't honing my shills with the city guard I work for one of the locksmiths in town. I work with Mr. Iron Hammer at Latches & Locks. Not only can I pick a lock but I can make them as well.

1. Tell me 3-4 NPC's your character knows in the city, they will become important NPCs. Names, occupations and how you know them.

A) Calseinica Nymmis. A beautiful little waif, whose natural talent and beauty are outmatched only by her enthusiasm. Orsin sang opposite of her earlier this year in the opera The Winter of White Roses.

B) Gerald. When Orsin arrived in town with the wealth he had accumulated from his seasons in Kintargo and Egorian, he wanted to make sure it was safely held at a bank instead of his own flat. (Orsin doesn't trust the kinds of people he's seen skulking about Westcrown). Gerald opened Orsin's account at the Westcrown Exchange House and has managed his finances since the diva's arrival.

C) Shu Lien. A Tian "escort" (*ahem*) employed at a pleasure house called The Reverse Mermaid (name subject to change). She's a stunning girl of no fewer than twenty years whom Orsin has given regular patronage. He pays her for her gossip as much as he does her traditional services.

2. Orsin arrived in Westcrown earlier this year. He performed opposite Calseinica only a few weeks after his arrival. (He already had studied the role during his youth at the Kintargo Opera.)

3. I apologize for how extremely un-brief this is...

** spoiler omitted **...

A witch? Oooo..careful. Duncan is a Witchunter archetype. Serioulsy though I play it more as aStubborn Dwarven Resistance to Magic and him hating Nobles and Spellcasters (mostly because of thier capacity to lord it over the common folk)

I have been looking for a fast passed campaign! I have this L1 female bard to offer. I will level her to 3 according to the guidelines, answer the questions, and repost her. I just wanted to get on the board. I think she would be the perfect fit for your group. I love bards and know how to make them the perfect (5th) party member. Again, I am available to post 24 hours a day with my IPhone or iPad (even on weekends). I am technically sound with the rules and love to RP. I have not played this AP yet.

After looking at the group in more detail, I think a witch would actually fit better. I will put a witch together tonight! I have a L6 witch in PFS and love the class.

1d6
1d6
1d6

If you are rolling hit points, we get max at 1st level and dice+con at late rlevels. Reroll any 1s you get.

I have been looking for a fast passed campaign! I have this L1 female bard to offer. I will level her to 3 according to the guidelines, answer the questions, and repost her. I just wanted to get on the board. I think she would be the perfect fit for your group. I love bards and know how to make them the perfect (5th) party member. Again, I am available to post 24 hours a day with my IPhone or iPad (even on weekends). I am technically sound with the rules and love to RP. I have not played this AP yet.

After looking at the group in more detail, I think a witch would actually fit better. I will put a witch together tonight! I have a L6 witch in PFS and love the class.

1d6
1d6
1d6

If you are rolling hit points, we get max at 1st level and dice+con at late rlevels. Reroll any 1s you get.

Thank you for the heads up! I rolled a 6 at 2nd and a 1 at 3rd, so I had to re-roll the second roll and I got a 4.

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He has knowledge skills and can help with face duties (bluff/diplomacy/sense motive) with the ability to aide in combat with his performances and spells. He will be perfect in the support (5th member) role to make everyone in his group better while still being highly effective. If you read his crunch, you will see that he is focused on what makes a bard great (built well and not focused on melee).

I will put a background together for you soon. As a teaser, he is a former slave/servant who started to play a role in spying for his Chelaxian family and was eventually given his freedom. He took on the surname of his human family and headed out for a life of adventure.

Harper is not sure who his parents are. He was born into the noble House of Montajay as a slave. He spent his early years as a servant in this house. He was an intelligent and charismatic little fellow and soon earned the favor of his "family". It was rare that a slave was educated, but Harper spent time with the family's children being educated by the house tutor. As he grew in age and maturity, it was obvious that he had talent. As many Chelaxian noble houses, the Montajay's were in fierce competition with other local houses. Harper was "sold" into slavery to other houses to act as a spy for the Montajay family. His service earned him more favor and eventually bought his freedom.

As soon as Harper entered Westcrown, his halfling blood took over. He spent the next few years living it up. During this time, he learned of Cayden Cailean. He revered the deity and his lifestyle. He soon found work in a local theatre. He received rave reviews in his portrayal of a human Child in a popular Chelaxian comedy. At the height of his acting career, wanderlust took over once again. He began to hang out at local pubs and join group of adventurers on missions. He met a friend who taught him the art of the arcane.

Harper has spent 6 years all together now in Westcrown. He is currently looking for work as an adventurer. He is a light-hearted guy who enjoys fun, danger, and genuinely cares for people.

NPCs:
Millech the Hump (From my time in the theater)
Amaya (Took acting classes with the young lady a few years back and I oftern frequent her glass blowing shop)
Fiosa (Harper spent some time at the church of Iomed when he first arrived in town to get on his feet. He won Fiosa favor (being a halfling) and served in the church for a few months).

A witch? Oooo..careful. Duncan is a Witchunter archetype. Serioulsy though I play it more as aStubborn Dwarven Resistance to Magic and him hating Nobles and Spellcasters (mostly because of thier capacity to lord it over the common folk)

I'm just checking in. It looks like a great turn out so far. I'm sure I will be closing the recruitment sometime on Sunday, July 22nd. I'll make my decision on Sunday. Once again, thanks for the submitting.

I will add to Andrea's comment on the investigations, this AP has served as the framework for the overall game but there are many more levels of complexity which I've added. I do not strictly follow the AP.

We do get a bit gritty with some adult themes, but everything posted should be paizo message board appropriate. When in doubt use a spoiler tag.

Andrea is correct on the HP max level one, then roll plus con modifier for the other levels. Reroll 1's.

I've been working on a Chelish diva bard intended for Council of Thieves! I do have a question though: when you say "no third party material", does that extend to Wizards 3.5 as well or is there backwards compatibility? If not, I'll simply need to re-spec my current build to use only Pathfinder.

No sweat, Orsin has already been completely refurbished for Pathfinder only materials!

Here are my rolls for his 2nd and 3rd level HP:

1d8 ⇒ 71d8 ⇒ 4

A question for the GM: My character definitely has his reasons for being in Westcrown in the first place (that is, he's trying to find the person responsible for putting on whatever snuff play killed his friend), but are personal enemies/goals like this encouraged?

In Gregorio's will, Orsin was named the sole beneficiary, which is how he came into possession of the 300 gp granted by the Child of Infamy campaign trait. Gregorio's assets were kept at the Westcrown Exchange House and it was Gerald who contacted Orsin, executed the will, and so forth. Since his arrival, Orsin opened his own account with the bank and has continued to do business with them henceforth.

No sweat, Orsin has already been completely refurbished for Pathfinder only materials!

Here are my rolls for his 2nd and 3rd level HP:

1d8
1d8

A question for the GM: My character definitely has his reasons for being in Westcrown in the first place (that is, he's trying to find the person responsible for putting on whatever snuff play killed his friend), but are personal enemies/goals like this encouraged?

Thanks!

Sure especially if they fits with the underlying premise of the campaign of a small group of people who want to improve the lives of the residents of Westcrown. They walk a fine line in trying not to be open rebels, which would catch the Hellknight group known as the RACK's attention. The group has basically taken it upon themseves to be protectors and to weed out corruption.

Once again, Duncan, Shinon is not an elf, and I'm only saying that because you know it annoys him when you call him that.

Hey all. I'm playing Shinon the Half-Elf Urban Ranger. I'm the group's skill monkey, focusing on Stealth, Perception and Sense Motive, although I also have the Trapfinding feature and full ranks in Disable Device (as well as a set of masterwork thieves' tools, thanks to our cleric).

Shinon is an impoverished orphan who is unable to get a job like the others because he does not have a home and is therefore unable to properly file and be held responsible for work-related taxes. He has studied humans in the city rather closely and therefore has basic grasps of when they are lying and how they tend to hide things (Favored Enemy: Humans).

Once again, Duncan, Shinon is not an elf, and I'm only saying that because you know it annoys him when you call him that.

Hey all. I'm playing Shinon the Half-Elf Urban Ranger. I'm the group's skill monkey, focusing on Stealth, Perception and Sense Motive, although I also have the Trapfinding feature and full ranks in Disable Device (as well as a set of masterwork thieves' tools, thanks to our cleric).

Shinon is an impoverished orphan who is unable to get a job like the others because he does not have a home and is therefore unable to properly file and be held responsible for work-related taxes. He has studied humans in the city rather closely and therefore has basic grasps of when they are lying and how they tend to hide things (Favored Enemy: Humans).

Once again, Duncan, Shinon is not an elf, and I'm only saying that because you know it annoys him when you call him that.

I know. ;)

For everyone else's benefit, Duncan also calls Shinon TRIGGER because of the large number of misses the dice roller has granted Shinon (who, mechanically is quite.well built)
AND because 2 seconds after the ranger insisted HE go lead scout over the less PERCEPTIVE dwarf, he poor sap triggered an Axe trap with damn near killed him.

Since we have new members(With one on vacation) we may need to get ourselves into order. Quite often we run around town a lot on personal missions(last one was notable with a few scattered members)finding info and such and we have acculminated quit a number of side quests. A good list of missions we have on the backburner would be a good idea on deciding what to tackle next. The major items on our list.

Here is a witch submission if the party would rather have a pure arcane caster with some enchantment. I would have to get a background together for her if interested (would not take long). I would not player her like a witch, but instead a mind attacking enchantress. I would make sure she gets along with the current party. She would be Chaotic Good. There wasn't a pure arcane caster type. I thought this would work well.

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Nadia was born the daughter of Varisian nomads. Her mother was the tribes witch doctor and trained Nadia in the arts of the arcane. She had a happy childhood with her people spent traveling. Her life changed dramatically when Chelaxian's attacked her tribe killing most of the men and women while taking the children into slavery. Nadia watched as her family was murdered by the Chelaxian inquisitors.

Nadia spent the next few years as a servant girl for House Charthagnion in the capital city of Egorian. She was treated harshly and often used for her beauty. She was forced as an older teen to be an escort for friends of the house.

Nadia earned the favor of one of the young noble men of the house and soon built a friendship with him. He found a way to help her escape slavery by making up a story about her being sold to another house. Though he loved her, he was willing to give her up for her good. He provided her with money and transportation.

Nadia arrived in Westcrown only weeks ago. She sought out the help of her mother's patron deity, Shelyn. She has been living at the local temple attempting to find her purpose in life. She sees the corruption around her and wants to find a way to make a difference in people's lives. She hold beauty and love in high regard, but can be vicious when angered. At an early age, she realized she had a hidden power-she could force things to happen and control people with her mind. She is only now learning how to control the "gift".

I'm going to give it a little longer till 9:00 pm EDT for submissions then close down the recruitment. The selection will be around 9:30pm.

Aiunder - a fire oracle can work but there is a divine caster already, depends on the build. Order of the Scourge is the best fit for Hellknight Signifier. One of our current players is looking at Hellknight Order of the Scourge in his future.

So far, there have been high quality submissions and the decision will be tough.

Remember this is a fast paced game...active posting is very important.

Not that my opinion matters to Baldwin's choice of options, but my vote is always for more fire. As it stands, we don't have a single fire-user in this entire group and it is making the pyromaniac in me sad. (Don't worry though, I plan to upgrade Shinon to a +1 flaming longbow as soon as possible)